Born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero in Newark's Italian Down Neck or Ironbound section of Newark, New Jersey neighbourhood, she is considered the most prolific and popular female rock 'n' roll hit-maker of the early rock era -- the late 1950s to the early 1960s. After an appearance on Startime, Francis was advised to change her name from Franconero to something more easily pronounceable, as well as to quit the accordion and focus on singing.
Francis' first single "Freddy" (1955) met with little success. Her next nine singles were also failures, and she began considering a career in medicine; however, "Who's Sorry Now" (a cover version of a 1923 song) launched her into super-stardom worldwide. Francis recorded the song at what was to have been her final recording session for MGM, as the label was about to drop her since her previous singles had generated little activity. She has said (paraphrased from The Billboard Book of Number One Singles by Fred Bronson) that she recorded it at the suggestion of her father, who convinced her it stood a chance of becoming a hit because it was a song adults already knew and that teenagers would dance to if it were released with a more contemporary arrangement.
The gamble paid off. In April 1958, "Who's Sorry Now" reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart (number four in the USA); in 2000, it was named one of the Songs of the Century. On January 1, 1958, she debuted it on Dick Clark's American Bandstand television show; by mid-year over a million copies were sold. This was followed by many other hits over the next decade, as Connie Francis became one of the most popular vocalists in the world.
Francis specialized in downbeat ballads delivered in her trademark "sobbing" style -- such as "My Happiness," "I'm Sorry I Made You Cry," "Among My Souvenirs," "Together," "Breakin' In a Brand New Broken Heart," and the Italian song "Mama," many of which were remakes of old standards. However, she also had success with a handful of more upbeat, rock-and-roll-oriented compositions, such as "Stupid Cupid," "Lipstick On Your Collar," and "Vacation." Among her other notable performances were "In the Summer of His Years" (a tribute to slain U.S. President John F. Kennedy) and Bert Kaempfert's "Strangers In The Night" (although the latter song is more identified with Frank Sinatra). Both "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" and "My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own" went to No.1 on the Billboard music charts in 1960. In 1962 she had another No.1 hit with "Don't Break the Heart That Loves You."
Francis recorded in nine languages during her career, including English, Italian, French, Spanish, German, and even Japanese, and remade many of her hits in foreign languages, including "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" and her signature song, "Where the Boys Are." In fact, her biggest hit album in the U.S. was 1960's Italian Favorites, and she followed it with several more albums of Italian songs over the years, as well as collections of Spanish-language and Jewish songs, among others.
"Where The Boys Are," one of many Neil Sedaka/Howard Greenfield compositions Francis recorded during her career (others included "Stupid Cupid" and "Everybody's Somebody's Fool"), gained wide exposure through its inclusion in the 1960 motion picture with the same title. Francis had a role in the film and sang the title song. During the first half of the 1960s she starred in three additional films -- Follow the Boys (1963) (the title song of which became a No. 17 Billboard single for Francis), Looking for Love (1964) and When the Boys Meet the Girls (1965).
In 1960 Francis became the youngest headliner to sing in Las Vegas, where she played 28 days a year for nine years. In 1961 she was successful in starring in her own television special on ABC television sponsored by Brylcreem titled Kicking Sound Around, singing and acting along-side Tab Hunter, Eddie Foy Jr. and Art Carney. She appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show on July 1, 1962 with French singing star Johnny Hallyday in a show that was taped at the famous Moulin Rouge nightclub in Paris, France. On July 3, 1963 she played a Command performance before Queen Elizabeth II at the Alhambra Theatre in Glasgow, Scotland. By 1967, she had 35 U.S. Top 40 hits, and three number ones.
Connie Francis has always been a great fan of country music and recorded several albums of country standards during her pop career. In 1969 she had a modest country hit with "The Wedding Cake" and made the country charts again in 1982 with "There's Still a Few Good Love Songs Left in Me." Several country singers found chart success remaking Francis' pop hits for the country market, including Marie Osmond ("Who's Sorry Now" in 1975), Susan Raye ("My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own" in 1972), Margo Smith ("Don't Break The Heart That Loves You" in 1978), and Debby Boone.
During the height of the Vietnam War in 1967, Connie Francis performed for U.S. troops.
Francis ended her recording career in 1969. She returned in 1973 with "The Answer," a song written just for her, and soon began performing again. Her son Joey was born in 1974. Tragedies followed soon after. In 1974 she was sexually assaulted in a hotel following a performance in Westbury, New York. Nasal surgery to correct a sensitivity to air conditioning deprived her of her ability to sing professionally for four years. Her brother was murdered in 1981.
Francis' autobiography, Who's Sorry Now? was published in 1984. Francis was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a mental disease which includes severe depressions and manic highs. She uses the drug Lithium to balance out the emotional highs and lows caused by the disease. Connie Francis resumed her career in 1989 after discovering the drug and has continued singing and recording since then. Francis still holds a world-wide appeal shown through continued music sales and sold-out appearances.
Her latest CD The American Tour contains performances from recent shows. In late December 2004, Francis headlined in Las Vegas for the first time since 1989.
In March of 2007, Francis performed to a sold-out crowd -- composed of gay urbanites and conservative suburbanites -- in San Francisco. The "little diva" belted out versions of her "woebegone ballads . . . in full force," according to the San Franciso Chronicle's music critic.
Connie's fan club: www.conniefrancis.com
Baby
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's somethin' to see,
Mommy and Daddy,
Trimmin' baby's Christmas tree.
Baby's big brother,
Is busy with his chores,
He's shinin' up the chimney,
For Santa Claus!
It's baby's first Christmas,
And oh, what a joy,
Shopping all around,
For every pretty toy.
It's a very special Christmas,
A blessing from above,
It's baby's first Christmas,
A Christmas full of love!
[Repeat Verse]
The song "Baby's First Christmas" by Connie Francis depicts the excitement and joy surrounding a family's first Christmas with a new baby. The lyrics describe the parents, Mommy and Daddy, decorating a special Christmas tree just for the baby. The older brother is also getting involved by polishing the chimney for Santa Claus's arrival. The family is delighted by the arrival of a new member and wants to make the holiday season extra special by shopping for all the pretty toys they can find.
The second verse emphasizes the fact that this is a very special and blessed occasion. The parents are doing everything they can to create a memorable first Christmas experience for their baby. The use of repetition in the lyrics highlights the importance of this event and how much it means to the family.
The song is a heartwarming reminder of the magic and joy that comes with the holiday season, especially when there is a new addition to the family. It highlights the care and love that parents have for their child, and their desire to create lasting memories for them.
Line by Line Meaning
It's baby's first Christmas,
This is the first Christmas for the baby; a time to celebrate and cherish.
It's somethin' to see,
The joy of seeing this new life experiencing the holidays is indescribable.
Mommy and Daddy,
The parents want to share this special moment and make it memorable for their baby.
Trimmin' baby's Christmas tree.
Putting up the tree and decorating it is now a family activity to create lasting memories.
Baby's big brother,
The elder brother is now mature enough to help contribute in small ways.
Is busy with his chores,
The elder brother has his responsibilities like cleaning the chimney as a good host to Santa Claus.
He's shinin' up the chimney,
Big brother is making the fireplace presentable to welcome Santa Claus.
For Santa Claus!
The family is getting ready to greet Santa on this special night.
It's baby's first Christmas,
It's a remarkable moment to be surrounded by family, gifts, and most importantly, love.
And oh, what a joy,
The happiness cannot be contained when you have your baby to cherish this special moment.
Shopping all around,
Going from store to store, finding the perfect gifts for the baby to make it an unforgettable Christmas.
For every pretty toy.
The gifts are buying moments of happiness and joy for the baby and it will not be forgotten.
It's a very special Christmas,
It's an exceptional Christmas because it's a first for the baby and the start of something new.
A blessing from above,
This is a blessing that brings newfound love, warmth, and a bright future that lies ahead for the family.
A Christmas full of love!
On this Christmas, the family will come together to share in love and to create bonds they will remember and cherish for a lifetime.
[Repeat Verse]
The song repeats the verse to reiterate the significance of every word and experience.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BENNY DAVIS, TED MURRAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
gatogordo1970
Brilliant...just brilliant..May God Bless Ms Connie Francis.
RychleTube
Wonderful. I bought this single in Florence
Julie Zimmi
Lyrics pls!
jakre10
It's a cute song. But in this part of the country I don't think they played it. I found out about it much later than when it was released. Don't know why.
Marc Uyttenhove
I bought it in Ascoli Piceno, Marche, Italia.